This is all about Master Minded. Paul Nicholls’ horse has won two Champion Chases already and goes for three in a row here. It will be a major story should he win and similarly should he get beaten. So will Master Minded win the Champion Chase.

Yes.

Okay, perhaps it is not quite that simple but the evidence of his last run in the Game Spirit Chase at Sandown suggests he is back to his best and at his best he is way better than anything in this field. Master Minded is a short price but is the winner in my book.

How did Ruby Walsh say on Master Minded?

Some will point to his defeat on his penultimate start. There was a genuine excuse there, he has a fractured rib but despite that being found some will take that form at face value. Anyone doing that is an idiot. Having recovered from that Master Minded came back at Newbury and won despite a shocking error at the last.

Some will say that Master Minded is all of a sudden a suspect jumper. Again they are the words of an idiot. Ruby Walsh immediately owned up to it being his fault. A big man who takes the ride again and for me is the safest bet of the week. Master Minded will land his third Champion Chase.

Kalahari King is a good horse for the each-way money, but not in the class of Master Minded. Even on official ratings Master Minded is way ahead of the field.

Champion Chase Betting Advice;

• Master Minded- Win.

Here is the Paul Nicholls stable tour…

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The ATR team preview the Champion Chase

Ruby Walsh had to sit tight after the seven-year-old made a terrible blunder at the last fence but that was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect performance.

William Hill make him a 4/6 chance for Cheltenham, with every other layer 4/5.

Only the Champion Hurdle evaded Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey last season when he rode a record seven winners over the four days.

He was second in the race, aboard Celestial Halo, his likely ride this time around. Nicholls is 25/1 with Boylesports to win the ‘big four’ in March.

“Ruby and Paul are quite simply a dream team at the moment,” said Boylesports spokesman Leon Blanche. They have the best horses around and already look to have three of the Festival bankers in Master Minded, Big Buck’s and Kauto Star. Celestial Halo was only touched off in the Champion last year and it would be no surprise to see him go one better and power up the hill he clearly loves.”

Denman was brilliant!

Hennessy Gold Cup, Newbury, 28 November
1st 1 Denman (IRE) 11-4 F
2nd 9 What A Friend 7-1
3rd 18 Niche Market (IRE) 33-1
4th 5 Barbers Shop 13-2

Denman put up a remarkable weight-carrying performance to win the Hennessy Gold Cup for a second time at Newbury. The 2007 winner, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, outbattled his stable companion What A Friend to justify strong market support.

The 11-4 favourite, carrying 11-12, pulled clear on the run-in to win by three and a half lengths from What A Friend (7-1). Niche Market (33-1) was three and three-quarter lengths away third and Barbers Shop (13-2) fourth.

Stan James have reacted and Denman has been cut from 5s into 5/2 for the 2010 Gold Cup after his memorable Hennessy Gold Cup success earlier this afternoon. Stan James have also opened a market on which horse will jockey Ruby Walsh ride in the race and bet 4/7 he remains loyal to kauto Star and 5/4 he jumps ship to Denman. Both horses have to line up for the race or all bets void. What A Friend is the 6/1 favourite for the Coral Welsh National and Niche Market is 14s from 25s for the same race.

Gold Cup 2010 ~ Outright Ante post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)

2 Kauto Star (from 7/4)
5-2 Denman (from 5/1)
8 Imperial Commander
8 Cooldine
25 Forpadydeplasterer
25 Barbers Shop
25 Notre Pere
33 Bar

Which horse will Ruby Walsh ride in the 2010 Gold Cup?

Denman 5/4 v Kauto Star 4/7 (both horses must start all all bets void)